Sorry for the wait between updates. The last month or so has been really hectic. I apologize for this chapter, I had different intentions for it (like better interaction with Lena for one) but this has been sitting in my documents for too long, and I really have something up my sleeve for Hana's evaluation, so please don't be harsh about this. Thank you for the reviews and notifications, they really mean a lot! Again, this is not the best, but I will make up for it next chapter!
As my parents and I head out to the car, I double check to make sure everything is in my bag. For some reason or another, I felt the need to bring my Book of Shhh with me. My parents would think it's a bonus, for if an evaluator saw that I carried it with me I would be deemed law-abiding, but I wasn't thinking of my evaluations when I grabbed it. Deep down, it's probably just a reminder of who I am in the society. My mother sees me fumbling with my bag, and shoves a magazine under my nose.
"Hana, don't bring books with you to wait around with. Not only are they completely attention-consuming, God forbid you bring something that relates to the Deliria. They will think you are trying to live vicariously through a character while you wait! Now, take this. Not only are magazines short, to the point, and cover topics relevant to you; but it will look impressive that you are reading into topics concerning your future."
Home and Family. A groan escapes from my mouth. My mother shoots a look at me, but I ignore it.
I slide into the back of my father's car, and choose to ignore the banter between my parents. The nerves that were building while my mother and father talked to me are slowly dying off. Maybe it's my parents that make me nervous. They are rarely around, but when they are, they expect so much from me.
The streets of Portland fly by as my father drives closer to the evaluation building. Many people stop what they are doing to stare at our car. Cars are rare in Portland, and many of them do not work. To see a car on the streets means money and power.
My father slows the car down. The building must be near.
"Hana, try your best when you respond to the evaluators," my father begins. "Your entire future depends on this moment. This afternoon is the stepping stone to either a grand future or your possible fall down society."
I begin to retort back, but my mother gives me a look that warns me of the consequences.
"I understand. Thank you, father."
"Good luck, Hana." My mother says as she pats my knee.
A small smile is all I can give her in return, but it seems to be enough. The car slowed to a halt as it pulled near the government building. I suck in a deep breath, hoping that it went unnoticed by my parents. They don't bat an eye, which gives me an overwhelming amount of relief.
"Do you want us to pick you up afterwards?" My mother gently asks.
The offer sits in my stomach, along with the realization that it was in this moment that I wanted my parents by me the most. I look out the window and immediately see Lena with her Aunt Carol. My heart lifts a bit, knowing that I really don't need my parents around.
"No. I will be fine." I tell my mother.
As I step out of the car, I yell out Lena's name. She looks up at me, and tries to wait while being pulled along by her nervous aunt.
After a few moments of me yelling and waving like a fool, I catch up to Lena and Carol. While I catch up to them, the magazine my mother forced me to bring pops out of my bag. A confused expression crosses Lena's face. Home and Family is the last thing anyone would expect me to be reading.
"My mom made my bring it… good impression…" I go through the explanation while adding gagging effects. Lena looks amused, but Carol looks horrified.
"Hana!" she whispers with terror, glancing around to make sure no one heard my crude joke. I tell her that we aren't being spied on (yet, to Lena) and start to head towards the labs. Many kids are already lined up, receiving their clipboards and a slot for evaluations.
I hear the final exchanges from Carol and Lena and try to resist rolling my eyes. Lena's aunt takes life way too seriously.
I express this thought to Lena.
She looks off to the building. "Well, it is serious."* Worry begins to set in her face.